Restoran Kadena Split: Sea-View Terrace Sound System
Restoran Kadena
Restoran Kadena is a fine-dining Mediterranean restaurant in Split, with a large sea-view terrace above the Zenta marina. We replaced its old, poorly balanced sound system with Bose Professional speakers in June 2023, then redesigned the layout in April 2024 after the terrace was rebuilt. Today the system runs in 5 zones, and we still look after it.
Photo: Restoran Kadena
Two Bose FreeSpace phases for a sea-view terrace above the Zenta marina in Split: a first system in 2023, then a re-laid design in 2024 after the terrace was rebuilt.
Project facts
| Client | Restoran Kadena |
|---|---|
| Location | Split, Croatia |
| Project type | AV integration (permanent install) |
| Scope | Acoustic Coverage Study · Bose Professional Installation · Multi-Zone Background Music · Ongoing Service & Maintenance |
| Equipment |
|
The Challenge
Kadena was rebuilding its big sea-view terrace above the Zenta marina: a partition came down, the old VIP area became part of one large terrace, and a new bar went in. The speaker layout from the first install no longer matched the room, and the double FreeSpace cubes it used were no longer made.
Our Solution
We modelled the new space, then redesigned and expanded the Bose system in phases: wall-mounted FreeSpace 3 bass modules with satellites spread across the terrace, a second PowerShare PS404D amplifier, in-ceiling FS2C speakers in the restrooms, and wall controllers that switch each area between background music and a live act or DJ. The first-phase speakers were re-used in new positions.
What is this Split restaurant terrace like?
Restoran Kadena sits on Ivana pl. Zajca in Split, directly above the Zenta marina. Its large terrace looks out over the sea.
That makes sound a design problem, not a box to tick. Music has to carry across a long open terrace and an indoor dining room. It must not spill into the conversation at the next table. And on event nights the same system has to take a live act or a DJ.
What was wrong with the old system?
Before we came in, Kadena ran an old sound system. Coverage was bad: with poor coverage, some tables hear the music well and others barely at all. The sound was poorly balanced between areas, and the sound quality itself was low.
What replaced the old system in 2023?
In June 2023 we put in Kadena’s first Bose Professional FreeSpace system. FreeSpace speakers are small units made for background music in hospitality. A bass module is a speaker just for the low notes; the small satellites carry the rest of the music.
- 2× Bose FreeSpace 3 Series II flush-mount bass modules, one for the outdoor area in front of the entrance and one indoors
- 6× Bose FreeSpace 3 satellites
- 2× Bose FreeSpace FS4SE speakers for the outdoor area
- 1× Bose PowerShare PS404D amplifier (the box that powers the speakers)
- 4× Bose CC-1 zone controllers (a volume knob on the wall for each area)
We installed and programmed the system and handled the electrical work for it. As on every installation we do, we trained the staff on the system, and we have supported it since.
Why did the terrace need a new layout?
At the end of 2023 Kadena reworked its terrace. A partition came down, so the old VIP area became part of one large main terrace. A new bar was built too.
The existing speaker positions no longer fitted the new room. The plan also called for more of the double FreeSpace “cubes”, and Bose no longer made them. So we had to rethink the layout, not just add speakers.
What did we install, and why?
Working through the season
We installed during the service season, with the restaurant open.
Model first, then place speakers
We drew the new terrace and modelled speaker coverage on the floor plan before proposing anything. Modelling shows, on the drawing, how evenly sound will reach each table. The final proposal came with an acoustic study showing the new speakers in place. We also suggested a site walk-through to agree the final positions before installation.
Phase 2 equipment (installed April 2024, as proposed in December 2023)
Phase 2 matched the proposal we sent in December 2023:
- 3× Bose FreeSpace 3 bass modules, wall-mounted
- 6× Bose FreeSpace 3 satellites, spread across the terrace with the existing satellites
- 1× Bose PowerShare PS404D amplifier, a second amplifier for the expanded system
- 2× Bose FreeSpace FS2C in-ceiling speakers for the restrooms
- 2× Bose CC-2D wall controllers
- 1× network switch
The design re-used the first-phase speakers in new positions, so nothing Kadena had already paid for went to waste. The finished system runs as 5 zones. A zone is an area with its own music and volume.
How do the staff control the music?
Choosing the source on the wall
The CC-2D wall controllers let staff pick the source for each area. During service they choose background music. On event nights they switch an area to the live act or the DJ.
Streaming and tablet control
In May 2025 we installed a Barix music streamer. A streamer is a small player that runs background music without a phone or laptop. Staff choose between music stations in an app on the restaurant’s tablet.
How do we look after it?
An installed system needs looking after, and we’ve stayed on as Kadena’s service partner. Since the 2024 install we have:
- retuned the amplifiers and adjusted the bass
- pulled new speaker and network cabling
- moved the volume controls
- fitted a 12U rack and moved the system components into it
- set up a new tablet for music control
What changed for the restaurant?
The terrace and the dining room now run on one redesigned Bose system with 5 zones, powered by two Bose PowerShare PS404D amplifiers. Staff set the volume per area on the wall, switch to a live act or DJ when needed, and pick the music from a tablet. The owner’s verdict on the result is quoted below.
How is the system set up?
In plain terms: A zone is an area with its own music and volume. An amplifier is the box that powers the speakers. A streamer is a small player that runs background music without a phone or laptop.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Restoran Kadena, Ivana pl. Zajca 4, Split (above the Zenta marina) |
| Speakers | Bose FreeSpace 3 bass modules + satellites, FreeSpace FS4SE, FreeSpace FS2C (restrooms) |
| Zones | 5 |
| Amplification | 2× Bose PowerShare PS404D |
| Control | Bose CC-1 zone controllers, Bose CC-2D wall controllers with source selection |
| Music source | Barix streamer, app on tablet |
| Install | Phase 1 June 2023, Phase 2 April 2024, service since |
Planning a terrace or restaurant sound upgrade? See our restaurant and bar sound systems or contact us for a consultation.
"It works perfectly."— Owner , Restoran Kadena
Planning sound for your venue?
Tell us about the space and how you use it. We visit, check the sound on site and send a written proposal with prices per zone.